Nezumi’s debut watch design, the Voiture (which means “car” in French), draws inspiration from vintage chronographs of the 1960s and 1970s, renowned for their classic and exotic flair. Equipped with Seiko’s VK63 meca-quartz movement, it stands out from regular quartz movements by incorporating a mechanical module for its chronograph function. Quality craftsmanship coupled with a refreshingly unique aesthetic—has our attention every time. Let’s dive in.
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK63
- Case size : 40 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 47 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Nezumi: The Brand
Nezumi Studios was established in Stockholm, Sweden in 2011 by David Campo Cardenes, fashion designer, vintage sports car enthusiast and watch aficionado.
David has spent almost twenty years working in the fashion industry, taking on roles in creative direction, product design, brand building, sourcing, and manufacturing for numerous renowned brands and retailers. However, after working with clients bending his creative force to their objectives for a considerable amount of time, David yearned for a space where he could exercise complete creative autonomy. Thus, Nezumi Studios was born.
The 'Nezumi' Brand Name
As a child, David read a book about a Japanese “Robin Hood”, who stole from rich samurais and gave it to the poor, becoming a folk hero.
The name is fitting as Nezumi Studios is proudly supporting numerous charities.
Nezumi Voiture Chronograph: Overview
Assembled in Germany, the Nezumi Voiture is inspired by the 1960’s – 70’s racing era. The 40 mm case width is perfect for all wrist sizes, and the 14 mm case height gives this watch a very sporty look. The case itself is 11.25 mm in height, but the domed glass adds another 1.75 mm. The domed glass and the ivory/off-white color on the dial ensures the overall vintage aesthetic. The bright orange colored chronograph second hand is used on all 3 different color options that are currently available, and adds a nice understated pop of color.
The dials are using a primary and a secondary color that are well balanced and contribute to the watch’s overall symmetry. There is no date window, which helps in keeping this symmetry, as most chronographs have a date window at 4 o’clock position, which is not a popular placement among some watch enthusiasts. The Tachymeter on the fixed bezel has a lighter color tone that doesn’t take our attention away from the dial, rather complements the dial’s composition. Let’s take a look at the details:
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK63
- Case size : 40 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 47 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Dial
As we’ve mentioned, there are three different color variations, and all fall within the “panda chronograph” design category.
The placement of the subdials creates a very symmetrical look, but using secondary colors for the areas AROUND the subdials gives a distinctive dynamic feel to the otherwise visually calming design. This secondary color has an angular hourglass shape that bleeds into the outer rim of the dial, fulfilling its function as a frame.
This design solution definitely established the Voiture collection as Nezumi’s flagship watch series.
As a constant reminder that these watches are inspired by the racecars of the ‘60s and ‘70s, the orange chronograph second hand definitely grabs the attention, and its vibrant color spurs us into action. The end of the chronograph second hand is capped with a capital N, a very classy touch.
The vintage feel is reinforced by the ivory color that can be found on all design options. Incorporating this color makes us feel like we’re looking at a dashboard of a classic racing car, and we love it.
Bezel
The fixed tachymeter bezel with a lighter color tone doesn’t take our attention away from the dial, but perfectly complements the dial’s composition. The polished frame of the bezel subtly interlocks the vintage with the modern.
Case
The case is polished and brushed 316L stainless steel. The width of the case is 40 mm, therefore it’s perfect for most wrist sizes, Lug-to-lug distance is at 47 mm, and the distance between the lugs is 20 mm. The height of the case itself is 11.25 mm, but an additional 1.75 mm is to be added due to the domed glass, so a total of 13 mm in height, which is on par with the sport watch average.
The screw on the machined case back has Nezumi’s skeletonized N logo in the center, the year 2011 (when the brand was established), Stockholm SWE, and the movement and collection information of the watch.
Movement
The Nezumi Voiture is powered by the Seiko VK63 Meca-Quartz movement. The placement of the sub dials is as follows:
- At 6 o’clock: active seconds
- At 3 o’clock: 24-hour hand
- At 9 o’clock: 60-minute counter at 9
The movement was customized and the date functionality was removed. This quartz movement uses quartz technology for the main functions of the watch and a mechanical module for operating the chronograph. This provides the watch with a smooth sweeping hand, mechanical pushers, and an instant snap back upon resetting.
The VK63 movement is essentially the same as the 6T63 caliber. Seiko is using the 6T63 caliber for their own Seiko watches, while the VK63 caliber is produced for non-Seiko watches.
Leather Rally Strap
The leather rally strap is an excellent choice for this timepiece. The style is a perfect fit, and we love a classic rally strap as it provides better ventilation, making the watch very comfortable to wear even during hot summer months.
The strap comes with a quick-release design, so it’s an easy tool-free process to change the strap. There is a black and brown version you can choose from when purchasing the watch on Nezumi’s website and both are equipped with the branded polished buckle.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a look at the summary of pros and cons, in our humble opinion:
Pros
- 40 mm case width is Ideal for all wrist sizes.
- Unique dial design: even though it’s a chronograph using 2 distinct colors, the dial isn’t too busy.
- Excellent value.
Cons:
- It’s a racing chronograph, therefore it’s not the best option for formal wear. Definitely has an overall sporty look.
Summary: Takeaway and Final Thoughts About The Nezumi Voiture Chronograph
Vintage-inspired watches that are looking at the ‘70s for design guidance are very popular today. However, the Nezumi Voiture Chronograph is truly a timepiece with its own character, as opposed to trying to become a newer version of an already known and liked watch. It is a perfect combination of vintage design elements in a modern frame; a classic made specifically for today’s lifestyle. The 40 mm case width is perfect for most wrist sizes, so we can only recommend adding this beauty to your collection.
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK63
- Case size : 40 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 47 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 50 m
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